Pontiac parolee charged in murder case arraigned

Attorney Raymond Correll (left) and his client Bobby Lee Taylor make an appearance for a pre trial exam at 50th District Court in Pontiac, Thursday June 27, 2013. The exam was postponed until August 6th for Taylor, charged in the death of Rosaline Ransom-Lee. (Oakland Press Photo:Vaughn Gurganian)

Attorney Raymond Correll (left) speaks with his client Bobby Lee Taylor during an appearance for a pre trial exam at 50th District Court in Pontiac, Thursday June 27, 2013. The exam was postponed until August 6th for Taylor, charged in the death of Rosaline Ransom-Lee. (Oakland Press Photo:Vaughn Gurganian)

A preliminary exam for the man accused in the strangulation death of a Pontiac woman who was found in Terry Lake has been set for August.

In Pontiac district court Judge Michael C. Martinez's crowded courtroom Thursday, Bobby Lee Taylor, 42, appeared for a preliminary exam conference, where he waived his right to have a preliminary exam within 14 days of his arraignment.

Martinez scheduled the hearing for 9 a.m. Aug. 6.

Taylor is charged with one count of first-degree murder tied to the killing of 32-year-old Pontiac resident Rosaline Ransom-Lee, as well as one count of first-degree felony murder and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

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He also was charged in a separate 2012 case, in which charges included single counts of home invasion, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and larceny for allegedly stealing another victim's phone in the 300 block of Baldwin.

The Pontiac man could serve a mandatory life sentence without parole -- and a potential life sentence on the sexual assault charge -- if convicted.

Preliminary exams for both cases will be heard at the August hearing, said Martinez. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton presented the defense with a portion of discovery -- information related to the case.

Taylor's attorney, Raymond Correll, acknowledged the prosecution's information. He said he just received it the same day.

"The discovery is obviously voluminous. ... Mr. Taylor understands that he has the right to have his preliminary examination within 14 days," said Correll. "He wishes to find good cause to adjourn the examination beyond that time so that we can adequately prepare for the examination, your honor."

While friends and family of Ransom-Lee await the court process, it remains unclear how Taylor may have known her -- or if he did at all.

Walton said that Taylor had not known Ransom-Lee previously "that I'm aware of."

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the case against Taylor came to light when DNA evidence collected during Ransom-Lee's autopsy confirmed his involvement in the case. He was arrested June 5 and lodged for a parole violation unrelated to the homicide.

According to Sheriff's office authorities, Taylor has numerous prior convictions for possessing stolen property, drugs, aggravated assault, escape from prison and being a habitual offender, for which he was on parole. He was released from prison in May 2012 and is on parole until May 2014, officials said.

The case gained national exposure after a friend of Ransom-Lee's family -- Star Jones, former co-host of television show "The View" and a frequent contributor to "The Today Show" -- used her celebrity as a platform in a case that she feels could've otherwise fallen by the wayside.

"My experience tells me that it is extremely hard to solve a 'stranger murder,' but this time, most of the cards happen to be on our side," Jones said in a recent email statement. "According to the police, they have a strong circumstantial case that has forensic evidence, DNA and statements of the defendant that are inconsistent with the evidence; so the ex-homicide prosecutor in me says that a conviction on all charges is the likely outcome."

As for the remainder of the prosecution's case, there are a few things Walton said he is waiting for.

The full "autopsy protocol hasn't come yet," he said. Nor have the forensic lab reports, he added.

"There will be more coming," Walton said.

A portion of testimony in the case can be expected in the August preliminary exam, he said.

Staff writer John Turk covers the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, police and general assignment. He can be reached at 248-745-4613.